Monthly Archives - April 2023

A pleasant meeting at the annual tasting of blessed Pilsner beer on the terrace of the Velehrad Pilgrimage House is becoming a lovely tradition. This year, the Embassy of the Czech Republic at the Holy See organized it in the afternoon of April 11. It was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, people in the Vatican services, former nuncio to the Czech Republic, Msgr. Leanza and representatives of the Czech community in Rome. The opening speech and the symbolic tapping of the wooden barrel were done by Mr. Ambassador Václav Kolaj with the help of the most qualified expert, emeritus chief brewer Mr. Berka. The atmosphere in the sunny weather was more than friendly.

The Easter triduum, through which we make present and relive the central mystery of faith, i.e. the redemptive suffering, death and resurrection of Christ, had a unique atmosphere in our house this year. A group of Slovak pilgrims led by Msgr. Spišák from the Archdiocese of Košice although was not staying in our house, she celebrated this liturgy here and with us. On Good Friday, the flock of present people was able tohonor the triumph of the cross, on Holy Saturday evening, during the renewal of baptismal vows, the light of the candles lit up the entire reception hall, which was transformed into a chapel, and Easter Alleluia! resounded the whole house... On the Easter feast, most of those present went to the papal Holly mass and the subsequent Urbi et Orbi blessing on the St. Peters-Square.